JPMA Executive Director Ishida Speaks at Online Event for Students
May 14, 2025
On May 14, 2025, Yoshiyuki Ishida, Executive Director of the JPMA, spoke at the “Pharmaceutical & CRO Internship & Career Discovery Fair,” an online event hosted by Mynavi Corporation, delivering a presentation titled “The Future of the Pharmaceutical Industry: How Do Industry Associations View It?”More than 1,200 students from across the country participated live, demonstrating the high level of interest in the pharmaceutical industry.
During his presentation, he discussed the challenges surrounding new drug development and changes in the industry as follows.
- Development Hurdles: New drugs require many years and enormous costs
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Diversification of Technologies and Methods: New approaches are now possible even for diseases that were previously difficult to treat
- Expansion of Research Fields: The broadening of targets and methodologies is expanding the scope of research
- Wave of Technological Innovation: Advances in AI and biotechnology are driving transformation across all areas of the industry
Regarding the evolving drug discovery environment, he pointed out that as medical care becomes more advanced and integrates with drug discovery research, the importance of the “drug discovery ecosystem”—in which diverse players such as pharmaceutical companies, universities, research institutions, startups, and IT companies collaborate to create new treatments—is growing even more.Furthermore, while the global market continues to expand, growth in Japan has slowed in recent years, and he noted the urgent need to resolve structural challenges such as “drug lag” and “drug loss.”
During the Q&A session, a series of practical questions were raised regarding the progress of AI implementation, the international evaluation of Japanese pharmaceuticals, and the skills in demand; the presentation generated over 70 questions and more than 300 chat comments.
This lecture was held as part of initiatives based on JPMA’s Vision for 2035. Executive Director Ishida highlighted the appeal of working in the pharmaceutical industry, noting that it allows employees to contribute directly to people’s lives and health, as well as to be involved in the entire process from research to manufacturing and delivery to society.JPMA will continue to promote understanding of and interest in the pharmaceutical industry among the younger generation and the general public.
(Chie Honda, Director of Public Relations)
Return to Announcements from the Public Affairs Committee, 2025